Teachers association elects new officers
Posted on Monday, July 16, 2007
BENTONVILLE - The Bentonville Teachers Association has elected new officers at a recent meeting.
Ronnie Flowers was elected unanimously to serve a second term as BTA president. Currently a Bentonville High School algebra teacher, Flowers holds a master's of arts in teaching and a bachelor of arts in mathematics, both from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
Flowers just completed his seventh year in the Bentonville Public School District. Flowers is credited with founding the BTA and is responsible for its phenomenal membership growth after its establishment in February 2006. "The growth is really due to the great members we have in BTA," said Flowers.
Flowers' Philosophy of Education - "I believe that all children can lean with the use of specific learning processes suitable for each student's individual needs. It is my goal to help all students learn through active learning, use of technology, and making learning fun."
Lynne Mueller Gronseth was elected as the new BTA vice president and also will direct the organization's marketing and communication efforts. Currently a ninth grade English teacher at Bentonville High School, Gronseth has a master's of arts in teaching and a bachelor of arts in sociology, both from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. She has just completed her seventh year in the district. Before earning her Master's Degree in 2000, she was a health care administrator at a number of locations in the U. S. for specialty and medical-surgical hospitals and she consulted privately for physicians and health care corporations.
Gronseth's Philosophy of Education - "After working in the corporate world, I wanted to pursue a more meaningful career in which I could assist students with communicative skills (reading and writing ) so they would be well-prepared to the best of their abilities to enter a work force in'The Age of Communications' to compete in a highly specialized work force."
Drew Osborne was elected for a second term as BTA treasurer. Currently a music teacher at Elm Tree Elementary, he holds a bachelor of science in music education from Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo., and is completing a master's of arts in music education at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
Osborne's Philosophy of Education - "To create an opportunity for students to explore, create, perform, analyze and enjoy music."
Dalene Magsam was elected to serve as the new BTA secretary. Currently a teacher at Lincoln Junior High School, Magsam holds a bachelor of science in education and special education degree from Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo. She is completing her second year in the district.
Magsam's Philosophy of Education - "I believe that the education of a student must be addressed from the overall perspective of the child as a whole person and that achievement takes place in all aspects of growth and development, not exclusively in academics. It is our duty as teachers to see that students are encouraged to grow and develop socially, intellectually, physically and emotionally. Cooperation and partnership among the administration, teachers, parents, and the student is the most effective way to meet the individual needs of each student and ensure his / her future success."
Drew Halevy is the outgoing BTA vice-president. Currently a social studies and engineering teacher at Bentonville High School, Halevy earned his master's of arts in government at Lehigh University and his bachelor of arts in political science from University of North Carolina in Greensboro, N. C. He earned his teaching credentials from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. This is his second year in the district.
Halevy's Philosophy of Education - "To provide students with the tools and skills to be successful in school and life, and to also show them the many choices available to them after graduation."
Ann Johnson is the outgoing BTA secretary. A seventh grade science teacher for the past six years, Johnson holds a bachelor of science in instruction and curriculum from Texas A & M in College Station, Texas, with a major in Earth, life and biology sciences. Johnson also was a hospital educator for 13 years.
Johnson's Philosophy of Education - "Any child can learn if they have the right tools to acquire knowledge and are motivated or inspired to learn !"
Currently with 130 members, BTA is an affiliate of the Arkansas Teachers Association which is the state chapter of the Association of American Educators. For information, visit the BTA Web-site at www. teachbta. org, e-mail info @ teachbta. org, or contact Flowers at 464-7632.
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